Are Prenatal Labs Necessary?

[neatostacy]

I think I dodged a bullet this morning at my appointment. My midwife said she can't make me do any of the labs and besides, she doesn't really see anything changing from the last 2 times I've had them done. So I didn't have anything taken today. I would have been late picking up my daughter from preschool if I'd had them done, too. She did say the hospital would probably want them done when I have the baby, but they could do them there if they really had to. Somehow that seems better than doing it now.

In fact, sometimes I wonder about the necessity of most prenatal care...I mean, I understand in some cases, but every appointment I've been to with my (now 3) pregnancies, they simply take your weight, blood pressure, and have you pee in a cup. And raise my fear/anxiety level if something is slightly different than last time. And it takes 2 hours at least from the time you drive there and drive back. I just feel that I know what's going on with my body nowadays, and I'd go in if there was a problem. It actually makes me nervous and anxious for them to be keeping so many "stats" like blood pressure and weight. My blood pressure is always off because I'm nervous. Of course, I'm not going to forgo my prenatal care altogether...I'll play their game:-) Just saying that for most normal healthy people, prenatal appointments seem so piddly.

[DiaperPalz]

Ugh! I had mine done this morning! I am having a home birth but I opted for almost all (minus genetic test) I even had my vitamin D levels tested and lead because we have a house from 1930.
Typically I puke/pass out when I have blood drawn when I am pg but this morning was a piece of cake! I guess there was no reason for me to put this off the last two weeks!

[neatostacy]

What an encouragement you are, DiaperPalz! I think if I'm feeling good and confident one of these next few visits, I'll go ahead and have the "necessary" ones done. And when they're not running so far behind!

[Mamata3]

i did whatever they asked for blood work. for me if they are taking it for somethings its not any harder for them to take it for others (the needle is already in my arm). there is sooo much i will be opting out of this time around i didnt care to bother with the blood work argument that would have taken place.

[msmamabear]

I just got back from mine. My midwife just did a simple prenatal panel, told her I didn't want any genetic testing and really just need to make sure my iron levels aren't really low (I am borderline anemic almost all the time) and it was 4 vials and $160 cash.